British Historical Medals
This lot is not illustrated.
Lot 1772 SESSION 6 (9.30AM WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL) British Historical Medals
Estimate $70
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $50
BILLY AND CHARLEY, 'medallion' dated 1012, with elaborate loop, in brass (58 x 83mm), obverse, with facing bust of a king and meaningless legends, reverse with two medieval knights and meaningless legends; another smaller in brass, (44 x 72mm), dated 1011, obverse, with seated king and meaningless legends, reverse with three figures and meaningless legends. Very fine. (2)
Billy and Charley were illiterate forgers operating in London in the 1850s. They produced cast medallions and other items in lead and brass, many with impossible designs including Arabic dates long before such dates were in use. For some time these items created great confusion and debate among archaeologists and collectors before being exposed as fantasies.
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Adjacent lots
Lot 1770
SIR JOSEPH BANKS, Horticultural Society of London Prize Medal, 1839, in silver (38mm), W. Wyon, ...
Estimate $80
Lot 1771
MARRIAGE OF VICTORIA AND ALBERT, 1840, in white metal (36mm), by Ingram, (BHM 1914); Birth ...
Estimate $120
Lot 1772 This lot
BILLY AND CHARLEY, 'medallion' dated 1012, with elaborate loop, in brass (58 x 83mm), obverse, ...
Estimate $70
Lot 1773
IMITATION GUINEA JETONS, all described on 2x2 holders and stored very neatly in a large ...
Estimate $200
Lot 1774
CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF GEORGE STEPHENSON, 1881, in white metal (45mm), by Chapman, bust facing ...
Estimate $150